Big Ten: The Battle of the East Commences

The Big Ten East is proving to be the toughest division in all of college football. Previously, the Big Ten East had four teams in the top 10 including Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State. After Penn State lost shockingly to Illinois on Saturday, the Big Ten East has turned into a race between three teams in Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. Let’s look out how the race will unveil and predict the outcome, here we go.

Week Nine: Michigan at Michigan State

This might be the game of the year in the Big Ten, both teams do not like each other, and both are out to prove something after having lackluster 2020 seasons. Michigan State’s offense is having success with the combination of running back Kenneth Walker III, quarterback Payton Thorne, and wide receiver Jalen Nailor. The offense is scoring 34.3 points per game and the defense is holding their own only surrendering 18.7 points per game. I worry about Michigan, like Iowa they can get one-dimensional and run the football. This is a formula for success against bad teams but when you need to compete with high-scoring football teams you can’t just run the ball. I think the Spartans prevail on Saturday and stay undefeated.

Update: Michigan State Defeats Michigan 37-33

Week 12: Michigan State at Ohio State

These two teams are the best offensively in the conference, both teams have playmakers at all skill positions. The Buckeyes are playing like the best team in the nation currently, and it seems as they have fixed their defensive issues. In weeks one and two, the Buckeyes gave up 66 total points, in the following five games, Ohio State has given up 64 total points, which is an average of 12.8 points per game. With this game having the possibility of being a top-ten matchup, I can’t foresee Ohio State losing to Michigan State in Columbus with the season on the line. Head coach Ryan Day is undefeated in the Big Ten since replacing Urban Meyer and I think the Spartans will not have an answer for C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes weapons.

Week 13: Ohio State at Michigan

The Buckeyes currently are on an eight-game win streak against the Wolverines. It is hard to foresee that changing this year, but Michigan does run the football effectively and that may be a problem for Ohio State. Michigan has two running backs in Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum that run the football with ease. Michigan is averaging 253.3 rushing yards a game which could be an issue for Ohio State. The more the Wolverines run the ball and chew up time the fewer chances Ohio State gets to score on offense. With that being said, I don’t see this happening. The Buckeyes will most likely stack the box forcing Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara to throw the football. McNamara only has five touchdowns through seven games, and he is averaging about 160-yards per game. If Ohio State does this, they should be able to go to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and win this ball game leading to a Big Ten championship.

References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/

Writer

-By: Justin Howard